William Penn

I recently learned about an amazing and quiet hero of early American times.  I'd always known in the back of my mind that he founded Pennsylvania, having grown up in the region, but I'd not gotten a clear picture of this great man until now.

Here is an excerpt from Quaker.org:
"William Penn was the first great hero of American liberty. During the late seventeenth century, when Protestants persecuted Catholics, Catholics persecuted Protestants, and both persecuted Quakers and Jews, Penn established an American sanctuary which protected freedom of conscience. Almost everywhere else, colonists stole land from the Indians, but Penn traveled unarmed among the Indians and negotiated peaceful purchases. He insisted that women deserved equal rights with men. He gave Pennsylvania a written constitution which limited the power of government, provided a humane penal code, and guaranteed many fundamental liberties."

According to the Historical Documents Co., "not a drop of the blood of a Quaker was ever shed by an Native American during Wm. Penn's lifetime."

The story of William Penn is a powerful example of one person choosing to live by his conscience despite the cultural conventions and governmental policies of the time.  He was fortunate to secure "a charter from the british crown to a vast territory in America of 40,000 square miles...this charter was in payment of a debt of $20,000 due his father."

Had William Penn been a poor colonist, or an indentured slave, or even a woman would he have had the ability to live by his conscience?  We cannot know - we can know, however, that a person whose survival needs are met and who has been given guidance to listen to and follow one's conscience, may make the choice to become an exemplary human being.

For me, this story is completely reflective of my world and my time, now.  Do I live by my conscience?  Have I given myself the time and opportunity to think about how I live?  How much of my lifestyle is a default position I inherit from my culture and how much is a true expression of my conscience?

Important questions for any age.  Valuable thoughts to instill in our children.  Even as we instill our own values, we must be clear that in the end they must choose.  Thoughtfully, carefully, when they have the maturity, choose to live courageously and humanely and treat all humans with respect and equality.

Here you can read a book written by William Penn and hear his thoughts directly.

"Do good with what though hast, or it will do thee no good."